Liao Xingyu was also involved in the case back then.
But this issue Luo Fei mentioned, no one had really noticed before.
After a moment of silence, He Xin slapped his thigh and said, "If the team leader hadn't mentioned it, we wouldn't have thought of it. If the murderer was indeed a foe of the Zhou family, they wouldn't need to do this at all."
"Exactly, it looks like our previous investigation direction was wrong."
Liao Xingyu spoke with regret, unable to help thinking that if Luo Fei had been there at the time, the case might have been solved long ago.
They arrived at Qingshan Town at half past ten in the morning.
The three of them first went to the town police station to find out more about the situation.
When they heard that it was for Zhou Kaieri's case, the director of the Qingshan Town police station, Wang Pengfei, was visibly delighted.
"These past two years, the victim's family has frequently come to the police station to demand updates on the case, and we really didn't know how to respond. This time, with Team Leader Luo on the case, we believe it will soon be solved."
With his repeated successes, Luo Fei's name has long been known to all police officers in Jiangzhou.
Even in these rural township police stations, they've heard of his achievements.
So knowing that this Luo Fei was indeed that famous Luo Fei, Wang Pengfei's excitement was understandable.
Luo Fei modestly accepted his compliments, and the few of them started discussing the main topic.
After getting the information they wanted, another hour had passed.
Seeing it was almost lunchtime, Wang Pengfei eagerly invited the group to eat, but they politely declined.
After leaving the police station, they found a noodle shop in town and quickly grabbed a bite to eat before driving to Group 4 of Baimao Village.
Liao Xingyu had been there before, so he still remembered the way.
With his guidance, they finally arrived smoothly at the village committee office in Baimao Village after more than half an hour.
After explaining their identity to the local village cadre, he took them to Zhou Kaieri's home.
"Zhou Kaieri's father's name is Zhou Daming. He finally got married in his thirties and had Zhou Kaieri."
"Since the incident with the child, his grandmother, overwhelmed by grief and guilt, took poison. The young couple also divorced over the incident, and now the Zhou family only has Zhou Daming and his father Zhou Guo'an left."
The village cadre briefly explained the situation of the Zhou family, then sighed, "Alas, a good family just fell apart like this. Who knows which heartless wretch did this, they're not afraid of going to hell!"
In rural areas, people are often distantly related.
This village cadre happened to be a kin of the Zhou family, so Zhou Kaieri should call him Third Granduncle. Each time he mentioned this matter, he couldn't help but curse.
Luo Fei listened intently before finally asking, "Uncle Zhou, how was Zhou Daming's family's relationship with other villagers usually?"
"Zhou Guo'an and his wife are honest and upright farmers, rarely quarreling with others. Occasionally arguing would only be with fellow villagers over some small boundary matters."
"But such matters happen often in the village. It's just small disputes like someone accidentally spraying pesticides over the boundary or feeling like someone's tree is leeching nutrients from their field; they're all trivial issues."
"People argue for a few days and that's it; I've never seen anyone kill over such things."
"What about Zhou Daming and his wife?"
"That couple is even less likely to harbor grudges. Most young people nowadays choose to leave home for work, and Zhou Daming is no exception. Since graduating high school, he's been working outside and only comes back during New Year's."
"After marrying Tian Xiaoyu from the neighboring village, except for the year Tian Xiaoyu stayed home for pregnancy, the couple has been working outside, leaving the child with his grandmother."
"It seems the chances of their family being targeted due to a grudge are indeed slim... Oh right, Uncle Zhou, are there many superstitious people in your village?"
"Superstition... how to say this, comrade, it's hard to find elders in our village who aren't superstitious in some way."
"Are there any who are extremely superstitious, whom even the surrounding people think are a bit obsessed or eccentric?"
Guided by Luo Fei, the other party thought seriously for a while but eventually shook his head.
"There's no such person; although everyone is superstitious, at most they just burn incense at the temple on the first and fifteenth. There aren't any extreme cases."
Unwilling to give up, Luo Fei tried giving a couple of examples but was still rebuffed.
Seeing the strong denial, Luo Fei started doubting himself. Could he have guessed wrong?
Not giving up, he continued asking, "Uncle Zhou, to your knowledge, is there any master of fortune-telling in your village or neighboring villages?"
"What, comrade, you also believe in this?" Uncle Zhou said, suddenly understanding.
Originally, he found it odd that Luo Fei would bring up superstition, but this explained it.
Luo Fei didn't explain; instead, he nodded along, "Not really a believer, just curious."
Though he found it surprising someone Luo Fei's age was superstitious, Uncle Zhou didn't comment and said, "I do know a few skilled fortune-tellers."
"There's one in Group 1 of our village, another in Group 8, and one in Luoping Village..."
He listed four, and Luo Fei quickly asked for the specific addresses of these people.
Meanwhile, He Xin, sitting in the front of the car, had already taken out a pen to jot down this information.
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